CLEVELAND, Ohio - Freshman Lexi Kavanaugh and red-shirt sophomore Bianca Velez were honored by the Mid-American Conference in its postseason awards lists Thursday afternoon. Kavanaugh earned MAC Rookie of the Year and a nod to the Second Team while Velez was named to the All-MAC Second Team.

Since the start of the award in 1987, Ball State has had four Rookies of the Year besides Kavanaugh. The last Cardinal to earn the distinction was Linsday Quay in 2003.

The Sherrill, N.Y., native saw time in all 18 games earning 15 starts. She led the team in goals with seven and points with 14. Kavanaugh recorded her first collegiate goal in the season opener at James Madison on Sept. 1. She scored her first game-winning goal at Lindenwood on Sept. 21 before netting a career-high two goals at Saint Louis on Sept. 22.

Velez started all 18 games for Ball State and was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 30 after scoring three goals and earning an assist in wins over Vermont, 3-0, and UC Davis, 3-2. The Virginia Beach, Va., native led the team in defensive saves with eight. She tallied two defensive saves vs. Ohio (Oct. 26) and vs. Northwestern (Sept. 10).

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